There is a charm
about the forbidden
that makes it
unspeakably desirable.
-
Mark Twain

______________________

I wink at Mia with a smile playing on my lips. She looks worried for us, for my response? Maybe both.

Over the last two weeks, I tried to put Mia out of my mind and rid myself of her entirely. It had sounded easy, but I found out it was impossible.

She invaded my thoughts and filled my dreams. It gave her space and time because I knew rushing wasn't a right option. It was too damn long to wait but I did wait. I engrossed myself in hospital, from one surgery to the other. My schedule was fully tight so that helped a bit but it wasn't easy. Every moment without her seemed wasted. I knew she had told me to fuck off and that she didn't want to see me again, but I didn't believe it. I couldn't believe it. There was no way we could have the electricity we did and just throw it away.

Hell, I hated relationships. I never had a girlfriend not even when I was in high school. The last thing I wanted was to be tied down to anyone, but I wanted to see her again. I tried each and every way to know about her. I turned to a stalker just for her.

I didn't stop sending her flowers and balloons. It made my day. I even called her once or twice at night because I really missed her.

Mia, my Love!

She'd changed my thought process. I never thought like this.

When I saw her on my bed staring at me with those big eyes, I was a goner. Taking a long, slow inhale, I felt relieved that she had given in. All I wanted was the now. Give her time did work though it was damn difficult.

I wanted to know we'd tried. That I hadn't let her run away without exploring the first true feelings I'd ever felt for a woman. She hadn't promised forever, but she had said that I could have her now. It was more than I'd ever promised anyone, and since she had my head all messed up, I took what I could.

Sex has always been easy for me. I can detach, let myself feel pleasure, let myself ignore all the shit in my head. I love sex. But I've never truly wanted a particular woman before. One was as good as any. I could experience an intense human connection that I desperately needed without having to stay connected after it was over.

Nothing about Mia is impersonal.
Maybe if it were a simple case of lust or the need to fuck, I could handle this thing with Mia. But it's not. That is abundantly clear. My want of her isn't just physical; it is soul deep.

I shut myself from the thoughts and turn my attention towards Mia who looks a little pale. Stacy words did hurt her.

"Troy, did you enjoy. How's she in bed?" Stacy asks Troy who looks confused.

I see Mia clenching her fist and that small action brought a smile on my face. So my innocent Mia can get angry too. Interesting!

"I..Yeah, it was good," Troy replies, his face turning red from the question and probably the answer.

"Come on, give us some juicy details. Is she really better. I mean did you enjoy it?" Stacy was pushing it now. I notice Tessa nudging Troy in the ribs.

"Yeah! She..She's pretty wild in the bed. I bet she never had a better lay. She's a fine piece of ass," Troy draws and that's it.

It takes me only one long-legged step until I'm on him. He sees me, eyes confused for a moment and then round with fear as I grab his collar. I hear gasps but I don't move away from him.

I raise a hand and point a shaky finger at him. "Don't lie. You know that's off-limits between us," I say in a guttural voice. My words come out measured, laced with the promise of retaliation.

A hand touches my shoulder. "Leave him," Terry says in a calm voice. I immediately step back and move towards the vegetables. I raise my eyes and look at Mia who's staring at me with a worried look. I smile at her and she relaxes.

I blow her a kiss and she smiles, blushing slightly.

"You don't have the right say something like that about her," Terry says and I can tell he's doing job in controlling his anger unlike me.

Troy looks embarrassed and he should. "We need to talk. We four," Terry tells them and everyone are out of the kitchen in seconds.

Terry has that effect on us. He's Mr. Perfect and the best. I love him. Not just him but both my brothers. Troy was really a good one, the one with friendliness more than Terry and me but he has turned into a jerk now.

He looks bothered and has to talk to someone about it and Terry is the right person for that. Tessa and Stacy also have some problems with my interactions with Mia. Stacy, I know is a bit out of control. I felt many times that she's not the right one for Terry but he loves her and that's what matters. Talking about Tessa, she's great. Just great. Troy is happy with her and Tessa is happy with him too. Tessa is like my sister and the one of the most innocent girl I had ever met in my life but now Mia's arrival has brought out some insecurities in her mind and I hope that goes away because I'm not going to let go off Mia.

Not until I'm sure she doesn't feel the same way I feel for her. I know she can feel it too so that means she stays in my life. I want it with her will and wish.

I stare at Mia. I want her under me, over me, beside me. I want to dedicate hours memorizing the pattern of her freckles, each curve and dip of her body. I want her body against mine until her scent is in my skin. I want to taste her, to fuck her, to laugh with her. I want everything.

"You look you've seen a ghost," I tell Mia who looks pale and shocked. "Come here," I mutter and she walks towards me. Her steps hesitant and shy.

Once she reaches near me, I pull her into my arms wrapping my arms around her. She relaxes in my arms and I kiss her hair. She slowly pulls away from me with a frown.

"I..We.. I didn't do it. She was lying. I promise I didn't."

I smile as I place my hands on her waist. She makes a sound when I lift her up and then place on the top of the counter. "Sit here," I order her and get back to cutting vegetables.

"I know you didn't. Troy once told us that you were always his friend and nothing happened between you both." Her face falls and I realize what I said.

I slowly lift her chin and her eyes meets mine. "Do you wish that Troy should be here near me instead of me?" I ask, my heart beating faster.

"I.. I don't know," she murmurs and I smile. It's not a 'no' and that makes my heart sink slightly.

It's neither a yes.

Yeah, it's not a yes. I know it's not easy for a woman to forget a guy on whom she had a crush for long two years and moreover that guy is her best friend and my brother but I'll wait.

"I like you," she mumbles and I smile. "But I can't promise you anything."

"I get it baby girl," I reply. Her eyes widens and she smiles brightly.

"Baby girl?"

"You don't like that?" I ask placing my hands on her sides, caging her.

She leans in and kisses me cheeks letting me know she likes it. "You're cute," I mutter and then turn my attention towards the veggies. "So tell me what do you want for dinner?"

She frowns. "I told you, I'm not really picky."

Leaning over, I brush a piece of her hair away from her face. "Okay. I'll give you two options, choose one. Pasta or chicken noodles soup?" I ask, after finishing the cutting of veggies. I grab a pan and place it on the stove.

"Chicken noodles soup. I never tried it," she tells and I turn towards her. My brows pull together and my face scrunched in confusion.

"You never had chicken noodles soup?" I ask, she thinks for a second and then shakes her head.

I stare at her, my eyes scanning her from head to toe. She's skinny and definitely needs some curves. "What did you eat today?"

"I had lunch," she says quietly, but she drops her eyes.

"You're ears are turning red. You're lying," I tell her, sighing. I move towards her, cups her face and places a kiss on her nose. "Tell me, baby girl." Her eyes gets wet and that moment I realized how difficult it was her to express things.

She blinks away her tears. "Protein bar," she murmurs and I raise my brows in amusement.

"Yesterday?" She sighs in frustration and rolls her eyes to piss me off.

"A sandwich."

"When did you last have a real meal?" I press, wanting to know more about the situation.

"Last week, with you," she whispers, tears form in her eyes.

Christ, she's not eaten since our last meal together!

I move away from her but my eyes doesn't leave her face. She looks embarrassed. "I'm sure the salary of a waitress can definitely afford a proper meal a day," I snap, struggling to remain calm. She hasn't eaten a proper meal since a week. This explains why she is so skinny.

"I..I have bills to pay. Debts, Dad's debts." Tears roll down her eyes and I sigh. I move towards her and pull her into my arms.

"We'll talk about it later but promise me you'll have a proper meal a day. I want you healthy," I tell her and she nods with tears and a small smile on her lips.

I'm gonna find out her problems because the moment I laid my eyes on her, her problems are mine too.

Hey guys!

Please comment and vote. Hope you all like this chapter.

What do you think Tristian is upto?

Bye guys!

Allison :)